Restaurant News is sponsored by The Kitchen Porters Club
Few names in Indian gastronomy carry the weight of legacy quite like Haldiram’s. Since 1937, the brand has quietly shaped the way generations experience Indian sweets and savoury indulgences. This June, Haldiram’s will open its first UK restaurant in Leicester Square (19–20 Irving Street). The 120-cover, 3,000 sq ft site, including 20 heated outdoor seats, introduces a full-service, casual dining format for the brand in the UK market. More than a restaurant, the Leicester Square site marks a shift from Haldiram’s traditional quick-service model to a premium casual format, designed to bring the same iconic taste to a broader London audience.
At its heart, the menu is a celebration of India’s most beloved dishes, including choley bhature, a popular North Indian chickpea curry served with fluffy fried bread, pao bhaji, a rich, spiced Mumbai-style vegetable curry, and raj kachori, a large, crisp shell packed with classic chaat fillings. These iconic dishes are complemented by an expansive chaat selection, each plate balancing nostalgia with contemporary refinement – alongside a range of fusion-led desserts, designed exclusively for the London outpost.
The site will include a dedicated retail area, featuring a sweets counter and shelves of Haldiram’s packaged products for takeaway, creating a hybrid dining and retail experience. UK-exclusive retail lines are expected to follow. The interiors reflect a quiet luxury – where Indian heritage motifs meet contemporary design sensibilities – echoing the understated elegance seen in London’s most respected Indian dining institutions.
At the forefront of this ambitious expansion is Ms. Rhea Agarwal, a third-generation entrepreneur from the founding family, now leading Haldiram’s growth across the UK and Europe. With a clear vision to evolve the brand without diluting its soul, Rhea represents a new generation of leadership – one that understands both the weight of legacy and the expectations of a global audience.
“While Haldiram’s is deeply rooted in tradition, we are equally committed to evolving with our consumers. London is an exciting step in making Haldiram’s a household name beyond India,” said Rhea Agarwal, Director of Business Development, Haldiram’s UK & EU.
With a presence spanning over 80 countries and more than 200+ restaurants across north India, Haldiram’s has long been a dominant force of the global food landscape.
Its London debut signals more than expansion – it marks the arrival of an iconic Indian brand stepping confidently into the world of global dining, bridging familiarity with aspiration, and tradition with contemporary relevance.
Restaurant News is sponsored by The Kitchen Porters Club